![]() ![]() A bottle of Heitz Wine Cellars Grignolino rosé and a bottle of Grignolino. The winery produces 35,000 to 40,000 cases of wine annually. What began with that modest vineyard has since expanded to include the Ink Grade, Linda Falls and Valley Oak Ranch sites. Helena in 1961, their family has built Heitz Wine Cellars into one of Napa Valley’s leading estates. Since Joe and Alice Heitz bought an 8-acre vineyard in St. ![]() While it’s not the first family-owned winery in Napa Valley to be sold to an outside company, it may be the highest-profile one other than Robert Mondavi Winery, which is now owned by Constellation Brands. Family-owned for more than 50 years, it was expected to pass into the hands of its third generation, in particular to David Heitz’s son Harrison. Heitz was not considered a likely candidate for a sale. “The whole Heitz family came to a decision that it was time for someone else to take it on.” Robert Boyd, previously of Joseph Phelps Winery, has been named president and CEO. Winemaker David Heitz and president and CEO Kathleen Heitz Myers, the second-generation stewards of the winery, will be stepping down from their roles. The purchase price was not disclosed, though an unnamed source in Wine Business speculated that it could go up to $180 million. The transaction includes 425 acres of vineyards, the winery and the tasting room. Heitz Wine Cellars, a renowned Napa Valley winery, has been sold to Gaylon Lawrence Jr., whose family owns one of the country’s largest agricultural businesses. Carey Sweet / Special to The Chronicle Show More Show Less Carey Sweet / Special to The Chronicle Show More Show Less 6 of6 Heitz's laid-back tasting room in St. ![]() Sarah Rice / Special to The Chronicle 2014 Show More Show Less 5 of6 Heitz remains one of the few Napa wineries that still offers free tastings. Harrison Heitz (left), his aunt Kathleen Heitz Myers, and his father, David Heitz, at Heitz Wine Cellars in St. Sarah Rice / Special to The Chronicle 2014 Show More Show Less 4 of6 The Heitz family founded their winery in 1961. Sarah Rice / Special to The Chronicle 2014 Show More Show Less 2 of6 Heitz Tasting Room Back Patio Flowers Robert Holmes / Heitz Wine Cellars Show More Show Less 3 of6 Winemaker David Heitz stands in the Grignolino plantings at Heitz Wine Cellars in St. Helena, Calif., on Tuesday, March 4, 2014. Within the Napa Valley lie many smaller sub-AVAs that express specific characteristics based on situation, slope and soil-as a perfect example, Rutherford’s famous dust or Stags Leap District's tart cherry flavors.1 of6 From left, David Heitz, his sister Kathleen Heitz Myers, Eric White, Harrison Heitz, and Brittany Dibb at Heitz Cellar in St. Cabernet Sauvignon’s structure, acidity, capacity to thrive in multiple environs and ability to express nuances of vintage make it perfect for Napa Valley where incredible soil and geographical diversity are found and the climate is perfect for grape growing. But it wasn’t until the 1970s that this marriage came to light sudden international recognition rained upon Napa with the victory of the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1976 Judgement of Paris.Ĭabernet Sauvignon undoubtedly dominates Napa Valley today, covering half of the land under vine, commanding the highest prices per ton and earning the most critical acclaim. Today the Napa Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon are so intrinsically linked that it is difficult to discuss one without the other. One of the most prestigious wines of the world capable of great power and grace, Napa Valley Cabernet is a leading force in the world of fine, famous, collectible red wine. The wines are made with an unwavering commitment to quality from organically farmed, 100% Napa Valley fruit, and a commitment to the sustainability of Napa Valley. In April, 2018, Heitz Cellar entered an exciting new chapter as this rich legacy was passed into the hands of the Lawrence family, whose deep roots in agriculture and commitment to the same core values of fine winemaking made it a perfect match. Fifty-eight years of the Heitz family’s dedication to viticulture, stewardship, and classic winemaking, maintained the winery’s notoriety as a benchmark amongst its peers in California and Europe. In the late 1950’s, pioneering vintner Joe Heitz ushered in Napa’s modern era with his iconic, globally celebrated wines, including Napa Valley’s first vineyard-designated Cabernet Sauvignon, the renowned Heitz Cellar Martha’s Vineyard. Family owned since its founding in 1961, Heitz Cellar’s legacy runs as deep as the roots throughout the Napa Valley a winery legend that has helped shape the history of Napa Valley winemaking.
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